CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1720, 29 May 1886, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

— - -oAN EXPLANATION.

(TO THE KMTOU 11AII/V STANDARD.) Snt, — As I havo been givon to understand that some people huvo taken offence at my bowing before the altar m church, I think it due to those people, and to others who may have hoard them speak on the subject, as well as to myself, both for their stikes, and for the honour of the Catholic Church of which I am always proud to proclaim myselfa member by word an«i outward act, that I should make an explanation. This I now seek to do m your widely-circulated paper. And first I may remark that offence can only arise either from hatred to God, as m the case of avowed Infidels and Atheists, or from ignorance, as m the case of low church people and dissenters. With the former I will not now take up your valuable space hy dealing with them, but for tho Information of the the latter I will state as s lortly as poseible the doctrine and practice of the church m the matter, which as a Catholic I am bound to maintain. The Church is a kingdom and Jesus Christ is the perpetual kins*.. The altar is His throne, on which at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice 1 He is personally present to receive the adoration of the faithful. At this time the faithful do more than bow, they genuflect ; but when Jesns Christ vacates his throne the faithful bow towards it when passing before it and when entering and leaving church. And this is no more than is done by lords, ladies, and other subjects of Her Majesty, and other kings and emperors of this world to their persons and thrones or chairs. How initch more is not the King of Kings entitled to the homage of his subjects! Surely none who love God wonlsi refuse him the honor .always paid to the Queen and even, to her empty chair or throne. And no person has any ground for taking joffience at others who consistently follow out to its logical results, the great Gospel truth that the Catholic Church is a kingdom. Christ condemned certain people because they not only re« fused to enter the kingdom themselves, but prevented others from doing so. The fable of the doer m the manger aptly illustrates the case of all such peonle, whether ancient or modern.— l am, &c, t James E. Ouseley. Palnaersfcon North, May 28.